Pioneer High School's girls basketball rebirth this season has much to do with the transcendent play of freshman guard Shanaijah Davison. But she's not the only reason the Patriots are winning games and taking names.

Take their 65-45 win Wednesday over visiting Fairfield, for example. Davis led the way in scoring as usual with 19 points. But it was the Patriots' work on defense which paved the way for their third-straight victory and sixth in their first 10 official games.

Maddy Bellin had five steals to go with 13 points and Jordan Ball four steals to go with 11 points. That duo, along with Regina Lopez and Erin Lipelt, were particularly effective in the full-court pressure Pioneer utilized in the first half.

"Erin brings the defense every night but tonight she was very disruptive," Patriots coach Mark Rocha said.

"Regina did an incredible job of taking away the weak side when they were looking to pass out of the double team.

"We had the athletic advantage, I think. And our normal pressure defense gets things going for us. In the second half we scaled back and played some halfcourt D."

Rocha has lightheartedly referred to this season as the Patriots' revenge tour, after the team struggled through a 2-22 campaign a year ago. Next week they're scheduled to face three teams that beat them last season, including a Monday meeting at home against Woodland Christian.